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The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter Interlude I: Athena
A small glimpse...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛A panic attack. Another godforsaken panic attack. It was a good thing that her nominal friend was able to pull her away from the cafe and out onto the back of the establishment. The situaton might have gotten even worse for her if Eremes hadn't done what he did. As she sent her now completed manuscript to her editor, her thoughts went to the last few things she said to her reluctant companion..⬜⬜⬜"I'm fine now." Athena exhaled as she slowly controlled her breath. They were seated at a metal bench at the back parking lot of the Sun and Moon, a few cars in plain view as she rid her eyes of unshed tears. Her gaze lingered across the bland scenery before turning to her companion, instantly noticing his eyes full of concern..Helpless.Of pity.."Are you sur-""I'm fine dammit!" Athena found herself blurting out. She felt a tinge of guilt as she felt the man flinch in surprise to her unwarranted outburst. "I-I mean.."Attention seeker."Athena?"She just co
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter Interlude II: Eremes
If one were to ask any person that lived in the City of Midas: 'What's the most decadent venue one could ever use?', some might answer that it would be the Grand Auditorium, located at the 31st floor of the Green Star Hotel. With roughly 7,800 square meters of available space, the floor was constructed with the sole purpose of being if not the grandest function hall in the world, then to be the most opulent one in the country. Boasting a floor covered only with Kashmir carpet, million drachmae chandeliers, and a wide selection of luxury tables, curtains and chairs for any kind of function or event.And now, it's been chosen to become the venue of the largest general auction event in the country.Eremes have only heard of the A3's vaunted extravagance and prestige through the news and some hearsay from former workmates before; tales of never before seen artifacts, ultra-rare collector's items, luxury cars, jewelry, and even deeds for real estate from all over the world, being offered as
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter IV.I Virtual Fighting
Time moves forward...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛*Brrrrrr*Athena shuddered in her seat as a slight chill suddenly raced down her spine, her back tingling ominously while she was busy working on another chapter on her laptop. Cold? Unlikely, seeing as the novelist was always ready for cold weather; always wearing thick, concealing clothing even indoors. Maybe she cranked up the air conditioning then, she thought as she reached over to the remote to check on the set temperature: still twenty-three degrees Celsius. By this point, the befuddled writer was about to just shrug and continue her work..Only to experience yet another bout of chills travel down her spine.It was stronger this time as Athena tried her best to stop herself from shivering but to no avail; her back recoiling from the uncanny sensation. It was as if a chilling cold finger traced the whole length of her spine. Like someone was trying to creep on her.Disgusting.Maybe someone's thinking about you~Cracking her fingers, the novelist s
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter IV.II Virtual Fighting
Athena craned her neck at the massive signage blaring in front of her, a faint sense of excitement building up for every second that she stared at it. Even living all her life in Midas never let her take for granted the majesty of the big yellow logo plastered on the front of the building in front of her.Saint Midas Mall.As the largest mall in the city and possibly in the country, the SM Mall. as it was locally called, boasted roughly a whopping 200,000 square meters worth of retail and restaurant space split across its three floors. From grocery stores to famous clothing brands, to the latest in cutting edge technology, the mall has a fairly daunting selection of stores and kiosks compared to other malls in Midas. The mall was divided in three different sections: the Hub, The Annex, and Cyberzone. As the Hub suggests in its name, it was located at the center of the mall proper and it's the largest of the three, where most of the general kiosks, groceries, and clothing stores were si
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter IV.III Virtual Fighting
As much as she tried to deny it, the nostalgic novelist truly missed going to this section of Saint Midas; its multiple stores filled to the brim with technology as far as the eye can see. From cellphones to cameras to laptops to PC parts, Cyberzone had it all. Although not as advanced like from those that were found in the capital city, it was already more than enough for most as only the truly tech-savvy even bothered to make the trip up north to Lamina. Athena never really cared much about that life, heck, this was where she bought her current laptop. She didn't need some new cutting edge phone if it would just become obsolete in a year once the phone companies release a newer and better model.Besides, the trip wasn't worth the effort anyway.The broken hinge on your old flip phone suggests otherwise.She got burned the last time she did it. Best stick to the reliable stuff.Holding her breath, Athena felt a sense of trepidation on a level that she hadn't felt in what seemed like f
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter IV.IV Virtual FIghting
Sixty seconds of playtime counted down as both characters on the screen sprang to life, quickly establishing space between one another. The movement of both players' sticks were apparent both on the screen and in real life, with both characters weaving in and out of their respective ranges in time with the audible clacks echoing from their hands. Murmurs rang from the crowd, amazement evident from the tone of their hushed voices."Look at that movement. This gon' be a real match!"The fight stick bent to her will as Athena's hand jiggled back and forth, poking and prodding her opponent with each button press of quick jabs and safe moves. Judging from what she observed earlier, Udongein had a tendency to throw out safe jabs and kicks, conditioning the opponent to block whenever he approached followed by an unexpected *unblockable to catch the enemy off gua-*Crash!*Tch- She got careless as Slim's uppercut launched her into the air, guaranteeing almost half of her health to be taken. La
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter IV.V Virtual Fighting
Wasting no time, Athena went for the down kick, making the opponent stagger as he was busy establishing distance.Don't give him an inch!Up forward three.*Crash!*Kunimitsu kneed Doll, launching it into the air. Bread-and-butter combo.It was all coming back to her. She didn't even need to think about the inputs as much anymore.The opponent's health now lied at 40%.The fired-up woman can barely hide the glee that was beginning to show on her face. Her hands felt faster, her eyes now starting to pick up windows of opportunities that weren't apparent to her before. The wooden man on the screen was starting to show caution in its movements, adjusting to the aggressive playstyle that she was now exhibiting. The demon lurched forward, trying to bait out an attack- There!Down three plus four, three, four.*Crash!*The wooden doll's jab whiffed as the katana wielder suddenly sat down before delivering a devastating kick to the chin, launching her opponent high-Forward dash three plus f
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter IV.VI Virtual Fighting
"YOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" The crowd exploded upon hearing the revelation about her identity.That's going to come back to you, you know~Athena spared no thought as she let herself be immersed in the game that she once loved. Smiling ear to ear as her hands moved as if it had minds of their own, inputting sequences hard engraved into her muscle memory and applying constant pressure to the slowly falling health bar of her opponent. Sooner or later, he's going to throw a running-Sidestep, down back two.*Crash!*"OHHH!!!!"Too easy. Udongein was getting desperate to try and get some hits in. Too bad she's tilted him enough to make reading his moves as easy as reading an open book."OH! OH! OH! OH! OHHHHH!!!!" The crowd chanted along each landed hit, vigor renewed with the prospect of witnessing high-level gameplay.*K.O!*"That sidestep was sick! Did you see the reads?!" "Tch!" She heard him make a noise as his character landed with a heavy thud on the ground. Haha! How delicious was his suf
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- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
Extra: A Collection of Poems
Extra I: No MotiveWracked with fear, I stood still,Gazing endlessly into the void.Eyes dull and uninterested,Contemplating what I will.I fear my own mind, question my sanity.Am I insane or merely delusional?You may know, but I never will.I'll never escape my vanity.Staring down the precipice of darkness,Swarmed by thoughts of ending it all.I fought valiantly for what seemed like an eternity,Clinging to whatever shred of reason for happiness.Dangling on the edge of my limit,My conviction
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
The Flow of Time
A vision from the distant past, an intrepid detective and her unlikely partner...A tale of crime and wits, Project Name: Noire⬛⬛⬛A beige coated woman walked the dimly lit concrete ports of the city, a flashlight in hand as brown eyes scanned her surroundings. The damp docks of Riverside surely stank with seawater, but it was where she was based, and thus she had to live with it."Heeeyy~ Found anything, Liz?~" A young woman in a white coat waved at her from the other side of the pier, her childish tone hiding what was undoubtedly the most intelligent mind she had ever come across. "I want to have some fun already~"Sadistic brat.With the same annoyed expression she sported ever since her reluctant return to active duty, the detective waved back at the black-haired woman. With her flashlight, Liz motioned the youngest coroner to ever work in this city to her location, her lips parting as if she still had the ability to speak."Okaaayyy~ Be right there in a sec!~"Sighing to herself,
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XIII Epilogue
Time moves forward. And while this tale slowly comes to an end, their story continues to unfold behind the scenes...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛It's been a month and a half since that fateful day. A month and a half since that unassuming maintenance guy saved her from her own demise. Ever since then, Aletheia has begun to acclimatize once more to a rather, lavish lifestyle than the year and a half that she spent on the run.Not only have you acclimatized, you've already excelled~Oh shut up. She can still live off of instant ramen and chump change just fine should the need arise.Says the girl that now spends over a thousand drachma a day on food alone~The novelist chuckled to herself at the thought as she saved another word document on her laptop. Well, she was quite a hefty spender back then no? You blew a whole talent for every arcade session. You're more than a hefty spender~Come now.. Well, she did do that back in the day huh.You're clearly cut out for a lavish lifestyle~She stifled a yawn as
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XII.II Ending Ceremony
"Lady Mendel, I propose one more bid."Hoho~ What does he have up his sleeve to be this bold?~Aletheia's eyes widened as Eremes began his opening gambit, his left hand holding his smartphone as he stared at Mother dead in the eye. What was he planning?"An interesting proposal Mr. Patillo." Mother humored, her tone clearly not taking his offer seriously. "While we both know that you have nothing in terms of bargaining power, I'll humor you, just this once." A dangerous game, he's playing, no?Far too dangerous for her liking. Sweat trickled down her lightly make-upped cheek as Mother leaned closer to the repairman, both hands clasped under her chin as a sickly sweet smile masked the malice hidden underneath. The novelist's hands trembled in her lap as she hoped to god that Eremes knew what he was doing."Okay.." The man in front of them began as he fiddled with the phone in his hand. "I have here, a recording of everything that happened here on this rooftop that Wednesday night." Wh
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XII.I Ending Ceremony
Time moves forward...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛"Where do you think you're going, Patillo?!" A deep booming voice shouted at him as he buttoned up his brown rented suit. "I've already told you-""I need to go to the rooftop now, Boss." Eremes ground out, his one hand already on the elevator panel as his boss refused to let him go. "After that, I'll be out of your hair forever.""You no longer have the authority to even board this elevator, Patillo!" Basco shouted as his one hand stopped the elevator door from closing. "I want you out of my hotel, right now!"Unemployment was the least of his worries as he took another glance at his wristwatch. Damn it, he needed to be on that rooftop by eight or he'll miss his last chance to get Athena back! "C'mon, boss!" Eremes pleaded, trying to avoid things getting a tad too physical. "Just this once-""One last chance, Patillo." The burly man spat, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Leave the premises, before I throw you out myself."Taking another glance at hi
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XI.V Midnight Auction
"Athena?"Peeking behind her disheveled hair, the hunched-up daughter struggled to hide her surprise as a familiar voice called out to her old name. Hopeless eyes feasted as the comforting familiarity of the repairman's visage eased the threatening abyss inside her. Eremes? What was he still doing here?Don't get your hopes up."Take us to the ground floor, Mr. Patillo." Mother stated still in front of her, anger audibly bubbling beneath the faux politeness. "I do expect that you won't fail even that.""Yes ma'am."The elevator lurched, before slowly beginning its descent back down towards the cold unforgiving ground. Aletheia merely kept to herself, hoping that if she made herself small enough, Mother wouldn't notice her presence. Useless."H-Hey-""Don't you dare talk to me, Mr. Patillo." The frightened child recoiled at her mother's tone, learned instincts taking over rationality as the older woman berated his once companion. "You had but a single order, and yet you chose to disob
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XI.IV Midnight Auction
"I bid a lifetime of servitude!" Eremes bravely announced as he intrepidly stood up from his seat. His back already in a cold sweat as he felt the cold stares from around the offended crowd, not to mention the murderous intent coming directly from his chaperone. Boy did he really shit the bed now. But seeing her in such a sad state.."Athena!"If it wasn't for her tilting her head upward, he might not have recognized her behind her hair. What was she doing on stage? With a different name no less? "I don't know what's going on-" Did Athena lie to him? Why hide her identity? Was this what she meant about not going back? Why then? Why lie?"But I'll get you out of there!"Steeling his resolve, the intrepid repairman shouted out his bold declaration. Explanations can come later. Right now, he needed to find a way to get to her. She clearly needed help, like during the time he first saw the novelist that fateful night. What was this feeling, a sense of protectiveness? Maybe it's because
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XI.III Midnight Auction
"I shall now begin the first trade.""Ugghhh..."The novelist woke up to the amplified sounds of a monotone announcement, groaning at the dull pain of a rising headache. Emerald eyes slowly blinked open, showing its owner a starless night sky. Where was she? How did she get here?Took your sweet time girly."Coming from my own sources, a complete detailed report on the 2015 projected 4th Quarter earnings of the Honn Maritime Company."Droning out the loud sounds behind her, the discombobulated author tried to get into a seated position, at least to get her bearings before assessing the situation she found herself in. Shaking off the last bits of sleep-induced grogginess, she willed her hands and-"Khhh!" A brief flash of pain shot up from her wrists and ankles. Huh? That was odd. "Ten billion from Alexandria. Do I hear-."Do try to remember girly~A voice echoed in her mind to try and remember. But what? And why couldn't she move her arms and feet? A dull throb beat rhythmically in h
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XI.II Midnight Auction
"I'm quite surprised, you clean up nicely, Mr. Patillo." "I'm surprised myself, Miss Mendel." Eremes hooked the tight of his collar as his contractee companion for the night admired his current appearance. "And thank you for the suit.""It's the least I could do for someone that's caught my eye~." A teasing tone escaped from the older woman's lips, a tone that sent foreboding shivers through the unwilling companion's spine. "It wouldn't do for a companion of mine to not be at their best."*Ding*The elevator chimed as it opened its doors to an unlikely pairing of humble repairman and honorable vice-mayor."Shall we?"Nodding to her pseudo command, the red-suited Eremes let his equally red hanfu clad benefactor onto the waiting elevator first, the older lady's gait as regal and commanding as it could be before boarding the elevator himself. The steel metal doors closed as their vertical carriage awaited input."Whe-""Rooftop, please." Lady Mendel chirped, but from his perspective, it
